When it comes to small dogs, many breeds are popular for their compact size and charming personalities. From tiny purebred dogs to those gone through selective breeding to have an adorable size, we love a little pooch that can strut around the house and make everyone fall in love with it.
But why adopt small dogs when you can have a medium-sized, strong mutt that can also protect your household? Well, little dogs have their own perks; from being easily managed to their adaptability and ability to live in small spaces, busy owners and city dwellers adore such pets.
And not all small dogs are lazy or low energy; if you prefer a playful or even alert little watchdog, you will come across many such breeds.
If you’re a first-time pet parent or just want to add a doggo to your household, here are the top 9 small dogs you can pick from.
Top Small Dog Breeds – Under 12 Pounds and Charming
1. Toy Fox Terrier
This North American native breed will immediately catch your attention with its alert-looking, perky ears. Though comparatively compact in size, don’t be surprised when this energetic pup tries to chase small animals, as it has a strong prey drive.
Toy Fox Terrier is a great choice for pet owners who want a dog that’s small but not dull. A mixed breed, crossbred between the Fox Terrier breed and toy dogs, the Toy Fox Terrier can adapt well to apartment living, as long as it’s being given regular exercise and play time.
Got cats at home? You’ll need to watch your Toy Fox Terrier around them, as well as with other pets who are tinier in size. They can live amiably with older children who know how to treat a spunky little dog.
2. Papillon
Papillon is one of the high-energy small dog breeds under 12 pounds, and a charming, popular breed worldwide. We love them not just for their round, big eyes and butterfly-like ears, but for their alert and happy temperaments.
Papillons make excellent family dogs and wonderful companions for individuals living in apartments or college dorms.
Papillons are no larger than 11 inches (as per the AKC) and come in a silky coat that needs minimal grooming, as they don’t have an undercoat. Papillons thrive in human companionship and adapt amazingly to family life, whether they’re kept in cities or in a farmhouse.
These fluffy dogs are suitable for both cool and warm climates, which makes them one of the most sought-after pups. As small dogs, they can happily play and exercise inside your home or apartment, but also enjoy going out with their pet parents on short daily walks.
3. Maltese
Originally bred in Malta, the Maltese is an adorable small breed with a silky, lush white coat. Maltese’s ability to live in limited spaces and their playful nature make them wonderful companion animals for both families and singles.
These little marshmallows aren’t just adorable; Maltese are also hypoallergenic dogs, as per PetMD, perfect for allergy sufferers and older family members. While Maltese are easygoing dogs, their lush coats need regular grooming to stay tangle-free and clean.
These loving lap dogs do need positive reinforcement when it comes to training, as well as mental stimulation to stay happy. If you have energetic little kids at home, watch their interaction with these tiny dogs to avoid accidents.
4. Bolognese
When it comes to small, white dogs, the Bolognese is another cute toy breed worth mentioning. These curly-coated pups belong to the Bichon family, as per the AKC, and tend to be really loyal and easy-going pets.
Bolognese has a calm temperament and makes for a loving companion dog with moderate energy levels. They’re well-suited for owners who aren’t very active and can’t keep high-energy, robust dogs. Though they’re chill doggos otherwise, they are prone to separation anxiety; if you stay away from home for long periods of time, this might not be the right dog for you.
For full-coated Bolognese, daily grooming is non-negotiable; trimming their coat short can make them more manageable. Bolognese is one of the dogs that can suffer from small dog syndrome, which is a term for when little dogs start acting like they’re your bosses.
Understanding their emotional needs and proper early training can help prevent this behavior.
5. Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terrier is a breed that hails from England and was used as “rat-catchers”, though it was bred to be a lap dog. They make affectionate companions and enjoy living with active families due to their rat-catching background.
Yorkies have big personalities, and they live for stimulation, whether it’s physical or mental; give them a task to do, and they’ll be more than thrilled. They’re highly trainable and quite watchful dogs, so having them around has a lot of perks. This doesn’t mean they don’t like people, though; you’ll find them quite amiable in social situations.
Since their luxurious coat needs daily brushing and occasional bathing, you can take them off and on to get professional grooming to make things easier. The good news: Yorkies don’t shed a lot, according to WebMD, so you won’t have to worry a lot about finding loose dog hair everywhere on your couches.
6. Chihuahua
Chihuahua is a small breed with a reputation for being feisty, but deep down, it’s just another little pup who craves its human’s companionship. This pointy-eared gremlin originated in Mexico and has distinct features like round, big eyes and a clever facial expression.
Due to its size, a Chihuahua is a good fit for an apartment lifestyle and can stay happy with indoor play, but it needs regular exercise and will appreciate outdoor time. If you have a fenced yard, let your Chihuahua play around in it, but taking it to the dog park needs extra care, especially in the presence of large dogs.
Chihuahuas love running around and tend to be barkers; so if you’re looking for quieter dogs, this might not be the right dog for you. They make good family dogs, but are not suitable for the company of small children who might accidentally hurt them.
7. Pomeranian
Pomeranian is a fluffy little spitz-type doggo that might not be the best option for first-time dog owners. Somewhat bossy and stubborn, Pomeranians can make good pets when paired with the right and experienced owners.
Despite being tiny, a well-trained Pom can be a good watchdog, as well as a friendly pet who bonds closely with its favorite human. They’re also quite prone to barking, so if you have older people at home who might not approve of excessive barking, think twice.
Pomeranians have been owned historically by famous people like Mozart and Marie Antoinette. Poms have a medium energy level; some daily exercise and play sessions are important for these pooches, as well as activities like puzzle toys.
If you plan on adopting other dogs, make sure your Pom, as well as the other pets, have received early socialization and obedience training.
8. Biewer Terrier
Biewer Terrier is a loving, small breed with a very adorable face that makes it a great family pet due to its friendly and sociable nature. Even as adult dogs, Biewer Terriers never fail to channel their youthful and playful personalities to make us fall in love with them.
If you’re wary of noisy dogs, the Biewer Terrier is a better option for you; though they will sometimes alert you when something’s off, they don’t bark all the time. Their love for play makes them amusing companions who love playing fetch and enjoy carrying toys in their mouths.
These pooches need their daily play sessions as well as regular grooming sessions. Biewers with longer coats are prone to developing matts and tangles; daily brushing keeps them in good shape.
9. Toy Poodle
If you love dogs, there’s no chance in the world you are not aware of Poodles, one of the most loved breeds. Poodles aren’t just adorable, they’re extremely intelligent dogs with a spirited but affectionate temperament.
Poodles come in three sizes: standard, toy, and miniature. Toy Poodles are small dogs, only a few pounds smaller than Miniature Poodles, with an average weight of up to 9 pounds. Despite the size difference, they carry most of the wonderful characteristics of standard Poodles.
From playing fetch in dog parks to enjoying dog sports like swimming and rallying, Toy Poodles enjoy a life full of fun and activity, despite not being a large breed. They’re very loyal pets that need to stay close to their human family members; otherwise, they start suffering from separation anxiety.
The curly-coated Poodles need extensive grooming of their hypoallergenic but dense coats. From daily brushing to occasional bathing, the grooming regimen is pretty much what a dog owner should expect to be a part of their lives.
Conclusion
These small dogs make their pet parents feel very lucky with their sweet temperaments and their ability to live happily anywhere. It’s important to make sure your little dog is getting proper nutrition and at least enough exercise to keep it healthy.
